Plenty of trouble afoot in Iraq

[conjur]

Suicide car bomb hits US checkpoint in western Iraq
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-04/02/content_2775554.htm

FALLUJAH, Iraq, April 1 (Xinhuanet) -- A suicide car bomb hit a US checkpoint at the entrance of a US military base west of the restive city of Ramadi on Friday, witnesses said.

The explosion took place when a suicide bomber drove a booby-trapped truck into the US military checkpoint around midday. Casualties were not known as the US troops sealed off the area, the witnesses said.

They said the US troops blocked two main bridges of Ramadi as they surrounded the city, some 100 km west of Baghdad. The US military did not confirm the incident.

Ramadi has long been a hotbed of insurgency against the US troops.

 

[conjur]

Loud explosion heard near Beirut
From correspondents in Beirut
April 02, 2005
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/co..._page/0,5744,12729538%255E1702,00.html

A LOUD explosion was heard in Metn, a Christian region east of the Lebanese capital, today after three bomb attacks on Christian neighbourhoods in recent weeks, residents said.

The blast happened at the Rizk shopping centre in the tourist village of Brumanna, 20km east of Beirut, the private LBCI television channel reported.

 

[conjur]

Iraq's Abu Ghraib Prison Attacked; 56 Hurt
http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=636742

Bomb explodes near Baghdad prison amid jostling for government posts
Abu Ghraib attacked AGAIN
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=s.../afp/20050404/ts_afp/iraq_050404121355

U.S. Soldier, Marine Killed in Iraq
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Apr2005/20050403_432.html

U.S. Soldier Shot Dead in Northern Iraq
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=domesticNews&storyID=8078720


(BTW, four Americans dead in four days in Iraq)

 

[conjur]

U.S., Iraqi Troops Battle Dozens of Insurgents
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/iraq_dc

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - U.S. and Iraqi forces battled dozens of insurgents in a remote area east of Baghdad and three soldiers, two American and one Iraqi, were killed in the fighting, the U.S. military said on Tuesday.

The battle erupted on Monday afternoon when two Iraqi army battalions were carrying out a "cordon and search operation" in eastern Diyala province, it said in a statement.

"The mission to search for weapons cache sites in the area uncovered dozens of terrorists and a firefight ensued."

Around 100 U.S. troops with Bradley fighting vehicles moved in to back up the Iraqi forces, and called in air support. The area was still being searched on Tuesday, the U.S. army said.

"There were two to three dozen insurgents there, with evidence of prepared fighting positions," Major Richard Goldenberg, spokesman for the 42nd Infantry Division, said.

"Those that survived the initial contact appear to have fled the area, but we're continuing to check."

Iraqi freedom just marched two more Americans to their deaths.

 

[raildogg]

Korean firms seek to aid Iraq

Some good news out of Iraq. "Rebuild Iraq 2005" is a great effort.

Iraq factions agree upon government

Nice to see Sunnis participating in government.

UAE investors hold talks on establishing banks in Iraq

Iraq needs foreign investment for it to become financially stable, currency-wise at least.

Student Support: Project Iraq

It's so great to see American students reaching out to fellow Iraq students. Now some Iraq students will finally get the much needed school supplies.

 

[conjur]

Attack on U.S. Convoy in Iraq Kills GI
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20050405/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq

A bomb attack on a U.S. convoy in southern Baghdad killed one American soldier and wounded four others Tuesday, while gunmen broke into a house and kidnapped a top Interior Ministry official, U.S. and Iraqi officials said.

Another gov't official kidnapped. Guess he's being marched off to freedom.

Also:

In Hillah, a member of the Babil provincial council, Salim Hilal, was gunned down as he was heading to work, police spokesman Capt. Muthana Khalid said. He said two suspects were arrested.

 

[raildogg]

In Iraq: progress in governance

Moving in the right direction. Good news.

Over the weekend, Iraq's fractious National Assembly broke a week-long deadlock and elected a speaker, clearing a major political obstacle on the way to forming a government. That's heartening news. It brings Iraq closer to taking charge of its own internal affairs, despite the nation's deep ethnic and religious divisions and the insurgents' determination to provoke a ruinous civil war.

Lawmakers overwhelmingly chose a moderate Sunni Arab to lead them, Industry Minister Hajim al-Hassani, and also elected as his deputies a Shia Arab nuclear scientist, Hussain al-Shahristani, and Kurdish leader Aref Taifour - a conscious effort to give each major ethnic group representation at the leadership level.

Foreign firms optimistic about business in Iraq

BEIJING, April 5 -- Global firms eyeing reconstruction deals in Iraq say they foresee an improved outlook for business in 2005. The comments come as violence is beginning to decline, but bureaucracy and corruption are emerging as major deterrents.

Business people representing over 950 foreign firms attend the Iraq Rebuild 2005 exhibition in the Jordanian capital Amman. It was clear that the number of opportunities in Iraq is growing as government ministries and US contractors? tender contracts.

John Connolly, vice president of Paxton Companies, said: "I believe that it's going to pick up. Last year there were difficulties with some of the insurgents, but we are hoping for a bit more business this year."

There are hundreds of millions of US dollars worth of projects on offer. But for many Western firms seeking a slice of the pie, the lack of a transparent business environment is still a big problem. Nevertheless, Iraqi business people say rebuilding the country will help make things better.

Iraqi Businessman Ahmed Al Anni said: "When we start the rebuilding it will automatically provide some kind of stability in Iraq. When people see rebuilding and more job opportunities available, Iraq will be more secure and stable."

The exhibition in Amman starts on Monday and lasts until Thursday.

Nice to see as the violence is declining, foreign firms are looking to help rebuild Iraq and also invest in it.

 

[conjur]

Create a propaganda thread if you want to spread that crap. "violence is declining"? :roll:

 

[raildogg]

Originally posted by: conjur
Create a propaganda thread if you want to spread that crap. "violence is declining"? :roll:

stfu. Good news is coming out of Iraq AND you're only POSTING bad news and anyone who posts anything positive, you say its propaganda?

What you're doing is propaganda. I'll continue to post good news out of Iraq, do what you will. News is news, it doesn't have to be bad for it to be posted.

 

[Votingisanillusion]

Originally posted by: conjur
Attack on U.S. Convoy in Iraq Kills GI
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20050405/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq

A bomb attack on a U.S. convoy in southern Baghdad killed one American soldier and wounded four others Tuesday, while gunmen broke into a house and kidnapped a top Interior Ministry official, U.S. and Iraqi officials said.

Another gov't official kidnapped. Guess he's being marched off to freedom.

Also:

In Hillah, a member of the Babil provincial council, Salim Hilal, was gunned down as he was heading to work, police spokesman Capt. Muthana Khalid said. He said two suspects were arrested.

From the article:
In London, a British parliamentary committee issued a report Tuesday saying excessive use of force by U.S. troops had antagonized Iraqis and made the process of rebuilding the country more difficult.

 

[conjur]

Originally posted by: raildogg

Originally posted by: conjur
Create a propaganda thread if you want to spread that crap. "violence is declining"? :roll:

stfu. Good news is coming out of Iraq AND you're only POSTING bad news and anyone who posts anything positive, you say its propaganda?

What you're doing is propaganda. I'll continue to post good news out of Iraq, do what you will.

Then do it in YOUR OWN thread. See this thread title?

Do I have to go CsG on you?

 

[conjur]

Originally posted by: Votingisanillusion

Originally posted by: conjur
Attack on U.S. Convoy in Iraq Kills GI
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20050405/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq

A bomb attack on a U.S. convoy in southern Baghdad killed one American soldier and wounded four others Tuesday, while gunmen broke into a house and kidnapped a top Interior Ministry official, U.S. and Iraqi officials said.

Another gov't official kidnapped. Guess he's being marched off to freedom.

Also:

In Hillah, a member of the Babil provincial council, Salim Hilal, was gunned down as he was heading to work, police spokesman Capt. Muthana Khalid said. He said two suspects were arrested.

From the article:
In London, a British parliamentary committee issued a report Tuesday saying excessive use of force by U.S. troops had antagonized Iraqis and made the process of rebuilding the country more difficult.

It's what's led to a modern-day Bastille (Abu Ghraib)

 

[Darkhawk28]

Iraq is wonderful.

Freedom's on the march.

The legs of liberty are spread wide.

Nothing to see here.

 

[raildogg]

Originally posted by: Darkhawk28
Iraq is wonderful.

Freedom's on the march.

The legs of liberty are spread wide.

Nothing to see here.

Why? Just because it doesn't suit your hateful agenda, doesn't mean things aren't improving in Iraq. They are.

Foreign firms optimistic about business in Iraq

Global firms eyeing reconstruction deals in Iraq say they foresee an improved outlook for business in 2005. The comments come as violence is beginning to decline, but bureaucracy and corruption are emerging as major deterrents.

It's really sad that people don't like to acknowledge anything positive out of Iraq. They only give credence to bad news out of Iraq.

 

[Votingisanillusion]

Originally posted by: raildogg

Originally posted by: conjur
Create a propaganda thread if you want to spread that crap. "violence is declining"? :roll:

stfu. Good news is coming out of Iraq AND you're only POSTING bad news and anyone who posts anything positive, you say its propaganda?

What you're doing is propaganda. I'll continue to post good news out of Iraq, do what you will. News is news, it doesn't have to be bad for it to be posted.

He is posting facts.
You are posting opinions. From your second article: "I believe", "we are hoping",... And the the Iraq Rebuild 2005 exhibition did not take place in Iraq, but in the Jordanian capital Amman! What a joke!

 

[Darkhawk28]

Originally posted by: raildogg

Originally posted by: Darkhawk28
Iraq is wonderful.

Freedom's on the march.

The legs of liberty are spread wide.

Nothing to see here.

Why? Just because it doesn't suit your hateful agenda, doesn't mean things aren't improving in Iraq. They are.

Foreign firms optimistic about business in Iraq

Global firms eyeing reconstruction deals in Iraq say they foresee an improved outlook for business in 2005. The comments come as violence is beginning to decline, but bureaucracy and corruption are emerging as major deterrents.

It's really sad that people don't like to acknowledge anything positive out of Iraq. They only give credence to bad news out of Iraq.

Dude, all I've seen that is positive is that corporations are getting filthy rich off our tax dollars. That's it.

My hateful agenda? It was a hateful agenda that got us in there to begin with. This administration does NOT have any intention of leaving Iraq. Their committing war crimes left and right, lied and still lying to the American public and "losing" billions of dollars. Real journalists are NOT allowed to tell the true story of what's going on in there. Terrorists have flooded into Iraq plus we've created tens of thousands more just because of our brutal tactics.

Sorry, but you can't take a high moral stance off a lie. The only good news there will be is when we get the *&#@ out.

 

[raildogg]

Originally posted by: Votingisanillusion

Originally posted by: raildogg

Originally posted by: conjur
Create a propaganda thread if you want to spread that crap. "violence is declining"? :roll:

stfu. Good news is coming out of Iraq AND you're only POSTING bad news and anyone who posts anything positive, you say its propaganda?

What you're doing is propaganda. I'll continue to post good news out of Iraq, do what you will. News is news, it doesn't have to be bad for it to be posted.

He is posting facts.
You are posting opinions. From your second article: "I believe", "we are hoping",... And the the Iraq Rebuild 2005 exhibition did not take place in Iraq, but in the Jordanian capital Amman! What a joke!

What's a joke? That foreign firms believe that violence is declining in Iraq? That they're going to take part in the rebuilding of Iraq? Clearly, people like you and Conjur have more knowledge about what is actually happening on the ground in Iraq. Clearly you are the absolute authority to say whether things go well or bad in Iraq, and these foreign firms are just lying. Right.

Some more interesting news on Iraq.

Saline firefighter heading for Iraq


Progress is being made in Iraq, terrorist attacks are slowing down somewhat. Anyone who has any objectivity will acknowledge there is some progress in Iraq. Denying it is denying reality. I'm not denying terrorist attacks in Iraq.

Guess some people believe in only news that fit their agenda.

 

[conjur]

Originally posted by: Darkhawk28
Dude, all I've seen that is positive is that corporations are getting filthy rich off our tax dollars. That's it.

My hateful agenda? It was a hateful agenda that got us in there to begin with. This administration does NOT have any intention of leaving Iraq. Their committing war crimes left and right, lied and still lying to the American public and "losing" billions of dollars. Real journalists are NOT allowed to tell the true story of what's going on in there. Terrorists have flooded into Iraq plus we've created tens of thousands more just because of our brutal tactics.

Sorry, but you can't take a high moral stance off a lie. The only good news there will be is when we get the *&#@ out.

Exactly. The only good is showing on corporations' bottom lines. Bush's new colonialism is marching right along. Just as Reagan and Bush Sr. pushed into Central America.

 

[Votingisanillusion]

Originally posted by: raildogg

Originally posted by: Votingisanillusion

Originally posted by: raildogg

Originally posted by: conjur
Create a propaganda thread if you want to spread that crap. "violence is declining"? :roll:

stfu. Good news is coming out of Iraq AND you're only POSTING bad news and anyone who posts anything positive, you say its propaganda?

What you're doing is propaganda. I'll continue to post good news out of Iraq, do what you will. News is news, it doesn't have to be bad for it to be posted.

He is posting facts.
You are posting opinions. From your second article: "I believe", "we are hoping",... And the the Iraq Rebuild 2005 exhibition did not take place in Iraq, but in the Jordanian capital Amman! What a joke!

What's a joke? That foreign firms believe that violence is declining in Iraq? That they're going to take part in the rebuilding of Iraq? Clearly, people like you and Conjur have more knowledge about what is actually happening on the ground in Iraq. Clearly you are the absolute authority to say whether things go well or bad in Iraq, and these foreign firms are just lying. Right.

Some more interesting news on Iraq.

Saline firefighter heading for Iraq


Progress is being made in Iraq, terrorist attacks are slowing down somewhat. Anyone who has any objectivity will acknowledge there is some progress in Iraq. Denying it is denying reality. I'm not denying terrorist attacks in Iraq.

Guess some people believe in only news that fit their agenda.

Blah blah blah!
Come back if the Iraq Rebuild 2006 exhibition takes place in Iraq!
There was also a "I foresee" in your second article. And the first had "opinion" in the url. Look up the word "propaganda" in a dictionary! Then update your brain!
How cute to see those brainwashed people still trusting the predictions of the corporate media! Especially about Iraq!

 

[raildogg]

Originally posted by: Votingisanillusion

Originally posted by: raildogg

Originally posted by: Votingisanillusion

Originally posted by: raildogg

Originally posted by: conjur
Create a propaganda thread if you want to spread that crap. "violence is declining"? :roll:

stfu. Good news is coming out of Iraq AND you're only POSTING bad news and anyone who posts anything positive, you say its propaganda?

What you're doing is propaganda. I'll continue to post good news out of Iraq, do what you will. News is news, it doesn't have to be bad for it to be posted.

He is posting facts.
You are posting opinions. From your second article: "I believe", "we are hoping",... And the the Iraq Rebuild 2005 exhibition did not take place in Iraq, but in the Jordanian capital Amman! What a joke!

What's a joke? That foreign firms believe that violence is declining in Iraq? That they're going to take part in the rebuilding of Iraq? Clearly, people like you and Conjur have more knowledge about what is actually happening on the ground in Iraq. Clearly you are the absolute authority to say whether things go well or bad in Iraq, and these foreign firms are just lying. Right.

Some more interesting news on Iraq.

Saline firefighter heading for Iraq


Progress is being made in Iraq, terrorist attacks are slowing down somewhat. Anyone who has any objectivity will acknowledge there is some progress in Iraq. Denying it is denying reality. I'm not denying terrorist attacks in Iraq.

Guess some people believe in only news that fit their agenda.

Blah blah blah!
Come back if the Iraq Rebuild 2006 exhibition takes place in Iraq!
There was also a "I foresee" in your second article. And the first had "opinion" in the url. Look up the word "propaganda" in a dictionary! Then update your brain!
How cute to see those brainwashed people still trusting the predictions of the corporate media! Especially about Iraq!

Blah blah blah!

Continue to post your negative "the-world-in-ending" BS.

I'll continue to post positive news out of Iraq. The only people who are brainwashed are people like you who refuse to acknowledge any positive event in Iraq, believing it will hurt their cause.

Note: I am not denying there is chaos in Iraq, but simply stating the fact that there many positives in Iraq that go unreported.

 

[conjur]

Originally posted by: raildogg
Guess some people believe in only news that fit their agenda.

If you have an agenda, then, for the third time, create YOUR OWN THREAD.

This thread is one *I* created to show the continuing chaos in Iraq and that Bush is full of sh*t in saying America and the world are safer with Saddam behind bars. I don't like hypocrisy and I will expose it.

Now, for the last time, ah heck off.

 

[conjur]

Bomb hits Iraqi oil pipeline, exports at a standstill
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_5-4-2005_pg7_38

Bomb hits Iraqi oil pipeline, exports at a standstill

* Prisoners riot at US camp
* Iraqi Communist Party offices torched
* US soldier killed in bomb explosion
* Bush says US will bear Iraqi reconstruction costs

BAIJI: An explosion hit an oil pipeline in northern Iraq on Monday as sabotage kept exports to Turkey idle, witnesses said.

A bomb was detonated next to one of the pipelines running through the Riyad area near the refining centre of Baiji, security officials said.

It was not known whether the blast targeted the Iraq-Turkey export pipeline or one of several domestic crude and refined oil products pipelines in the area.

The export pipeline to Turkey?s Ceyhan port, which has been idle for most of the past two years, was hit in Riyad last week, further delaying repairs.

The north is producing around 400,000 barrels per day, around half what the region exported before the war.

Iraq?s exports have been restricted to the south with 1.4 million bpd flowing from two terminals offshore in the Gulf. Bad weather prevented loadings on Monday.

<sigh>

Don't they know they have freedom now? Why do they hate Iraq so?

 

[raildogg]

Ordinary Iraqis Wage a Successful Battle Against Insurgents

Nice to see Iraqis fighting back against the terrorists. More good news.

 

[Votingisanillusion]

Originally posted by: raildogg
Ordinary Iraqis Wage a Successful Battle Against Insurgents

Nice to see Iraqis fighting back against the terrorists. More good news.

Yeah, right! Good news dated 2005/03/22.
And from a newspaper that deceived everyone about WMD. Just like all the corporate media. Just like Bush.

 

[BBond]

More good news from "The New Iraq"?.

Nice work.

IRAQ: Compensation for Fallujah residents slow - locals

04 Apr 2005 16:36:14 GMT
Source: IRIN

FALLUJAH, 4 April (IRIN) - Compensation for residents of Fallujah city, some 60 km from the Iraqi capital, is happening at a slow pace, local people say.

Government studies suggest that 70 percent of buildings were destroyed in the city during the last conflict between US troops and insurgents.

This left thousands of families still encamped on the outskirts of the city, waiting for a government solution to their problem.

Two-thirds of the city's population is said to have fled when the fighting started between November 2004 and January 2005. Based on studies, each family will receive a sum of money, depending on the damage and size of their property.

"I cannot return to my home because it has been totally devastated and the government told me that I have to be patient and wait for my name to come up on the list for compensation. But it is going very slowly and my family need a roof over their heads," Kareem Aydan, a resident from Fallujah, camped on the outskirts of the city, told IRIN.

Muhammad Abdul al-A'ani, deputy minister for industry, told IRIN that of the total number of houses damaged in the city, only 90 families had received compensation of around US $1,500 each so far.

He added that $100 million from the Iraqi Relief and Reconstruction Funds (IRRF) had been set aside by the government to compensate and help families to return to their homes.

"We have found that $500 million is required for total compensation in the city but the US [-led] Coalition has just offered us $100 million so far, but they have promised that soon the rest will come into our hands," al-A'ani added.

Doctor Hafid al-Dulaimi, director of the Commission for the Compensation of Fallujah Citizens (CCFC), established by the government, told IRIN that a study had been carried to assess the scale of destruction. He reported 36,000 destroyed homes in all districts of Fallujah, along with 8,400 shops.

Al-Dulaimi pointed out that 60 children's nurseries, primary and secondary schools and colleges were destroyed and 65 mosques and religious sanctuaries were almost demolished by the attack, with 13 government buildings requiring new infrastructure.

"Most of the houses need to be rebuilt from scratch and the government should offer much more for families to enable them to return to their homes and [go back] to what it was like before the conflict started. Some shops have even disappeared and we hope that they stop discussing who will take the new government seats and remember that they have a lot to do here in Fallujah," al-Dulaimi urged.

However, there are some signs of normality returning to the stricken city, as basic facilities such as water pipes and sewage treatment plants are being repaired. Damaged schools are being renovated and new ones are being built by either the Coalition or the government.

According to Ahmed Salah, a senior officer from the public works ministry, two electricity substations, three water purification plants and two train stations were badly damaged, along with the sewage and surface water drainage subsystems throughout the city.

He explained that they were trying hard to meet basic needs. "Families in the city can find potable water in each corner of the city in tanks and through that we can guarantee healthy water until we have finished all our work and we believe that it won't take too long," Salah added.

A retired father of five, Abu Youssef received $1,500, but he said he needs five times more to repair his house and bring back everything they have had before inside it.

"Thank God I have received something. There are thousands of families that are still waiting for the compensation. But still, this amount of money is not enough to rebuild my house again," he told IRIN.

The Iraqi Red Crescent Society (IRCS) said that people in Fallujah had at least started to receive their monthly ration parcels, including those still camped in areas around the city.

Nearly 90,000 people had returned to the city, with another 200,000 families still waiting to enter, according to Lt. Gen. John Satler, a senior officer in the US Marines.

"Some families have started to be compensated and hospitals and schools have started to be opened. Soon Fallujah will be open to the people [in a] much better [condition] than before," Satler told IRIN.